Afganistan

“One of the guys” is the first documentary which proposes to follow step by step the process of a career soldier woman who will become a man. The director approaches the subject of transsexualism without voyeurism or prejudice. We were very receptive to Vincent’s character, far from the common representations of transsexuals. The fact that he is a professional soldier that his transition will occur officially in his military environment allows us to handle this topic in an original way. Vincent is a charismatic, articulate character, carried by his inner conviction of being male in a female body. Doris Buttignol explores a unique perspective on gender transition.

It was as Virginie that corporal Vincent Lamarre enrolled in the Canadian Army. As he did his coming out to his superiors, he surprisingly founds his hierarchy back him unconditionally as his family did, he falls in love. The movie relates Vincent’s sexual transition with the support of his chain of command. What defines a man ? His testosterone ? His penis ? His warrior spirit ? The way people look at him ?

DIRECTOR’S NOTEWhen asked about the time he questioned himself deeply as to whether he was a girl or a boy, Vincent has no hesitation whatsoever answering. As far as back as he can recall, even in his childhood he always thought of himself as a boy. He showed a strong interest for sporting competitions and from a young age felt a solid commitment for the Canadian Armed Forces. However, until recently Vincent was still known as Virginie since he was born a female. Furthermore, the fact that Vincent was a young soldier (and still is) aroused my curiosity. Vincent defines himself as a heterosexual in the wrong body. Though in touch with Montreal’s transsexual community of Montreal, he doesn’t feel he belongs to this group or to any other organization. I am fully committed to this documentary because it deconstructs all forms of representations in matters of sexual identity. Here, we have the story of a young career soldier who manages to convince the Forces’ hierarchy to accept and to support him in his transition : and his family stands by him in the process. Furthermore, as the transition is under way, he meets a woman who he falls for…